Mushkin Ventura Pro 32 GB USB 3.0 Flash Drive Review

Introduction:

It doesn't seem like long ago when we first saw ads promoting 10 MB hard drives as all the storage we would ever need. Nowadays, even photos taken by our mobile phones require nearly 10 MB by themselves. While it has become much easier for manufacturers to develop higher density data storage mediums, they have become a higher priority than faster data interface standards. Unfortunately for end-users, non-portable storage PCI-Express and SATA III solid state drives are already pushing the limit of memory storage speed. On the portable side, it is a slightly different story; eSATA III never really caught on for flash drives and PCI-Express has been out of the question for obvious reasons. Luckily, the latest USB standard, USB 3.0, has caught on as the new all-purpose data interface standard. With its theoretical transmission rate of 5 Gbps, it makes an ideal choice for next-generation, ultra high capacity flash drives.

Here today, we have Mushkin's latest high-end flash drive offering; the Ventura Pro 32 GB. The Ventura Pro boasts 120 MB/s read and 70 MB/s write, definitely placing it in the upper-tier of USB 3.0 drives. With all-aluminum housing and unique features, such as wear leveling, the Ventura Pro 32 GB has the potential to be a great deal for $65.

Closer Look:

The Mushkin Ventura Pro 32GB USB flash drive comes in a typical clamshell package. I am glad they opted for the clamshell instead of the more standard blister packaging for ease of access. On the front, you'll find the Mushkin logo and a basic list of features. Around the back, there is a more comprehensive feature list and a graph detailing the performance difference between USB 2.0 and USB 3.0.

The Ventura Pro itself has a smooth, satin-black finish that not only feels good in your hand, but presents a sharp appearance. The front has a tastefully-sized Mushkin logo, while the other side displays the model name and capacity. The flash drive has a well-balanced weight, thanks to the aluminum body, which also adds shock resistance. Mushkin also elected for a removable cap piece. Unfortunately, it does not provide any sort of water-tight seal, leaving no real advantage with regards to design choice. The Ventura Pro's USB connector is the now-standard light blue. This is due to the fact that USB 3.0 is expected to a have a slower adoption rate, and may therefore be difficult to differentiate alongside the common black USB 2.0 ports on PCs.

Now that we've physically examined the drive itself, let’s move onto its detailed specs and benchmarks!